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When the SEC’s Division of Examinations released its 2025 examination priorities in October 2024, the U.S. elections were about two weeks away. As we begin the new year, President Trump’s appointees are in the midst of the Senate confirmation process, including Paul Atkins, his pick for SEC Chair (replacing the recently departed Biden appointee, Gary…

Evidence suggests, and consensus concurs, that the independent RIA model represents the future of wealth management. Data shows that RIAs have enjoyed strong growth over the last ten years, and expectations are that these entities will control almost a third of all advised assets in less than three years.  This RIA growth trend, and I’m…

It’s October: that time of year when anonymous, often scary creatures turn up at your doorstep in search of spoils. For IT specialists overseeing their firm’s cybersecurity, this scenario can play out 24/7/365, not just on Halloween. As regulators deploy broader guidelines and cybercriminals become increasingly adept at circumventing barriers, guarding against breaches is a…

C-Suite Execs From Essential Edge, CogniCor And Docupace Address The Potential And Challenges Of AI In Wealth Management “Everything Everywhere All at Once.†The title of the Oscar-winning blockbuster is also an apt description for the rising prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) within the wealth management space. While AI has been leveraged in the industry…

Launched Earlier this Month, Family Office Resource Group Seeks to ‘Disrupt’ the Industry In recent years, a growing cavalcade of advisors have sought to increase their appeal among ultra-high-net investors. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.  For one, such clients represent an enormous opportunity that, if handled properly, could shift the fortunes…

When industry watchers talk about evolution in the wealth management space, they often are referring to technological transformation impacting how business is conducted, for both providers and consumers of these services. Technological innovation, for all of its “wow†factor, is a double-edged sword that can – and should – elicit an “ugh†factor as well.…

In-person seminar marketing, long a staple of financial advisors’ organic growth strategies, seemed down for the count during the pandemic and the subsequent move to all things remote. Despite the ease and cost savings of holding online webinars, however, many advisors have gone back to hosting live events.  The rationale is simple, in-person seminars are…

“Customers should use regulated industries to their advantage and hire career specialists in each area of their lives,” said one industry executive. A former insurance agent who posed as a securities broker – without the appropriate licenses – has become the target of the Maryland Securities Commissioner after he took $100,000 from elderly customers and…

Much to the delight of wordsmiths, a new entry into the annals of denominalization has come to the fore. Last month, millions of computers and their users worldwide were “crowdstruck†by a software defect that triggered the most significant global IT outage ever. While verbing is not new, the far-reaching impact of the CrowdStrike computer glitch took…

A ‘pay-to-play’ rule could chill campaign donations to Democratic ticket from some financial advisers and firms Vice President Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate could boost the Democratic ticket’s Midwest appeal but it might slow donations from Wall Street. Financial advisers who contribute to the Harris-Walz campaign could risk violating securities…